Response:
If you protest against something, does that automatically equal judging someone?
Consider this:
Most pro-lifers protest against abortion because they hope to save lives--both the mother and the baby. These pro-lifers are speaking out because of love, not out of judgement.
There are more pro-life activists who have had abortions themselves than there are pro-choice activists who have aborted. Pro-life activists are speaking from experience.
So surely we must not assume that a pro-lifer is judging anyone. In fact, pro-life clinic counsellors simply wish to rescue mothers from making a decision they will regret the rest of their lives.
Pro-life Christians feel compelled by the Great Commission to (quoting another popular verse) be their brother's keeper. If Christians are never to oppose evil, one could level the same "judge not" charge against those who have attempted to stop slavery, infanticide, racism, rape, robbery, the Nazi holocaust, or any number of horrors. Christians throughout history have been accused of intolerance, and yet history has judged them as just. If you wish to use that charge--intolerance--against me, at least I shall be in good company...
"John Wesley actively opposed slavery and encouraged mine workers to unite in order to resist the inhuman treatment by their employees. Evangelist Charles Finney had a major role in the illegal Underground Railroad, saving the lives of many blacks, while under criticism from fellow Christians. D.L. Moody opened homes for underprivileged girls, rescuing them from hopelessness and exploitation. Charles Spurgeon built seventeen homes to help care for elderly women, and a large school to provide education for hundreds of children. Spurgeon and his church built homes for orphans in London, rescuing them from starvation and vice on the streets. Amy Carmichael intervened for the sexually exploited girls of India, rescuing them from prostitution in the temples. She built them homes, a school, and a hospital."--Randy Alcorn, Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments.
It is interesting that this one Bible verse, "judge not," should be quoted so often (out of context), and yet the rest of the Bible is scorned. Since we're talking about the Bible, however, we will assume that the questioner believes the Bible is true, and will do what it says-- including the Sixth Commandment.
Note: Protesting against something, or trying to save someone from hurting themselves or others, is not the same thing as judging or condemning them. In fact, pro-lifers have been responsible for bringing forgiveness, healing and the love of Christ into thousands of lives. Click here for "Shouldn't We Just Preach the Gospel?")
Here is the verse, out of context:
Lu 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
We should study this verse in context before accusing anyone of judging someone else again. Otherwise, how can we know we aren't guilty of that very judgement? Perhaps we'll get into the original Greek at a later time. Have fun! Here is the verse, in context:
26 Woe to you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27 But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to them who hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them who despitefully use you.
29 And to him that smiteth thee on the one cheek, offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke, forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them who love you, what thanks have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them who do good to you, what thanks have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them from whom ye hope to receive, what thanks have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much in return.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye give to others, it shall be measured to you again.
39 And he spoke a parable to them; Can the blind lead the blind? will they not both fall into the ditch?
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect, shall be as his master.
41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thy own eye?
42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thy eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thy own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by its own fruit: for from thorns men do not gather figs, nor from a bramble bush do they gather grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil: for from the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like.
48 He is like a man who built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that, without a foundation, built a house on the earth, against which the stream beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.
I hope the questioner noted that when you read the verses in context, Jesus was referring to the blind leading the blind--judging others, when you yourself are committing the same sin. If a person calls themselves pro-life, and yet they are killing babies, we can say that person should "judge not!"
Below are listed more verses that say, "judge not:" The issue of judgement can be tricky. Please read each in context (at least the whole chapter!), before you label anyone "intolerant," or if you want to tell someone else, "Judge not."
2Ch 19:6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
Isa 1:23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come to them.
Jer 5:28 They have become fat, they shine: yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Mt 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Lu 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
1Co 4:3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment: yes, I judge not my own self.
Return to Pro-Choice or Pro-Life
Christian Book Distributors offers a huge selection of bargain-priced homeschool and educational resources and books. Portions of your purchases help support this web site. Thank you!